Facilities on the ward:

• nineteen bedrooms - all are single occupancy with en-suite toilet and shower. Please note you may be required to change rooms during your stay
• sitting /dining room with television, and tea, coffee and breakfast making facilities
• self-catering kitchen with laundry facilities
• family room with pool table, table tennis and television
• activity room with access to art and craft materials, games etc
• a read courtyard which is the designated smoking area for patients. Smoking is not permitted anywhere else on the ward, visitors are not permitted to smoke on NHS premises, including the grounds of the hospital.
• multipurpose / aromatherapy room and qualified aromatherapist to prescribe blends and offer massage. Ask staff for a referral
• gymnasium and supervised access via the ward physiotherapist
• allotment area facilitating our 'Space to Grow' gardening project.

DVD players and stereos are available on the ward and can be used to play your own music and films

Whilst you are with us you will be allocated two key workers, including a Registered Mental Health Nurse who will discuss any treatments with you and help you make any informed choices about the care you receive.

Your key workers are:

Your doctor is:

When you arrive, one of the nurses will show you to your bedroom, and if you are feeling well enough, will also show you around the ward and introduce you to the ward team and other patients. Your name, date of birth and address will be checked on arrival and we will ask you some questions to help us care for you including:

• who your named person is, or who we can contact about your admission
• how you are feeling
• what medications you are taking. Please bring all your medications into hospital
• who you do and do not want to be given information over the telephone regarding your stay in hospital

You and your family or friends may ask any questions you may have at any time. A doctor will speak to you about how you are feeling soon after you come onto the ward. We will arrange a basic physical examination and take a blood sample to ensure you are in good physical health.

Ward routine

What time are meals?

All meals are provided on the ward by NHS Borders

• You may help yourself to breakfast in the dining room when you get up each day
• Lunch is served at 12 noon and an evening meal at 5pm
• A selection of sandwiches is usually available for supper

Each day you will be given a menu to choose your meals for the following day. Please make staff aware of any specialist dietary requirements or food allergies and these will be catered for.

Meals are served in the dining room. If you require adapted equipment to eat or drink please inform a staff member. There is also the option to self-cater should you feel meals from the hot trolley are not meeting your specific needs. You can discuss this option with your key worker.

All staff are available for you to talk to day or night. You will also be allocated a named nurse for each of the morning, afternoon and night shifts who will be available for 1:1 time. The nurse in charge and your allocated nurse per shift will be identified on your whiteboard in your room.

Care planning

During 1:1 time we work in partnership with you to identify specific recovery-focused care plans to identify aspects of your care that we can support you with whilst in hospital. This is really important and formalises the basis of your stay in hospital and what treatment will be best for you.

The consultant psychiatrist and/or the team doctor will meet with you weekly. These meetings are called ward assessments or reviews and you will be supported and encourage to participate in these.

When can I have visitors?

You may have visitors daily between 2.30 and 4.30 pm, and 6.30 - 8.30 pm. The ward however is closed to visitors each Wednesday between 10.30 and 2.30 pm. This is allocated as 'protected time' to allow staff and patients to spend time together with no interruptions.

The family room should be used during these visits as visitors are not permitted to be in patients bedrooms. Visitors should phone the ward to check you will be free to see them before coming in as you may have therapy or prior appointments.

Can I make phone calls?

You can make and receive phone calls on the cordless phone: 01986 827 285

Your family and friends can contact the ward on tel: 01896 827 181

You can also use your mobile phone on the ward. We ask that you do so in non-public areas and refrain from using the camera.

Will I be safe in hospital?

We have an observation policy on the ward. This is to keep you safe at a time when you are feeling unwell. We will work in partnership to decide the level of contact you need with staff. This will change with treatment and we will involve you, your family or friends as much as possible.

In exceptional circumstances the ward team will have to physically restrain patients to maintain the safety of others or indeed the safety of you. We may also have to do this to assist patients taking their medication. If you have any concerns, worries or have witnessed this please do not hesitate to discuss this further with a member of the team. The ward team work hard to care for people and to ensure that every patient feels safe within the ward environment. If at any time you do not feel safe, please discuss this with your named nurse/nurse in charge or Senior Charge Nurse.

For the privacy of yourself and others, we ask that you do not spend time in other patients rooms. The ward is large enough for you to spend time with other patients in the communal areas.

Additionally:

• ward checks are carried out by staff every few hours, day and night
• the front door is locked at night. This is for patient safety, not to restrict your movements
• to ensure safety and security of all patients, staff and visitors to the unit, we have several surveillance cameras outside the building
• no dugs or alcohol can be brought onto the ward. If there are suspicions that illegal substances  have been brought in, nursing staff and the police can carry out searches and you may be discharged from hospital.

Your belongings will be checked with you when you are first seen. Any sharps and medication should be handed to nursing staff at this time for safe-keeping. We have a wards safe for valuables and a small amount of money; however we encourage you to use your own safe within your room. We cannot hold large sums of money.

When you are admitted, we will identify an estimated discharge date, this helps to have an aim and goal to work towards and can be changed depending on your views and your recovery.

staff may encourage you to go on a series of 'passes' home in the run up to your discharge, for instance overnight or for a few days with return to the ward to see how you got on

you will be able to plan going home with staff in small stages to help you make the transition home easier for you

additional support on discharge will be available from the community mental health teams and other healthcare and voluntary is available and can be arranged with your key worker

you will be given a 'leaving hospital' booklet to take home with you to remind you of any important information and follow-up appointments.

you may need a fit note from your employer or the benefits agency while you are in hospital. Ask a member of staff if this is required.

your stay in hospital may affect your benefits depending on how long you are in hospital. A welfare benefits officer is available to see patients on the ward and an appointment can be arranged for you.

The ward team are always looking for ways to improve the service we deliver and we would hope that you take the time to answer our satisfaction questionnaire which will be sent to you after discharge if you agree to have one sent to you.

Bipolar Scotland

Galashiels Bipolar Self Help Group meets every second Monday and is open to people with bipolar disorder and their families, friends and carers from anywhere in the Borders. Meetings are held in New Horizons Borders, Unit 10b Galabank Mill, Galashiels, TD1 1PR. No need for referral.

Opening Hours: 5.30 - 7.00 pm

Phone: 01415 60 20 50

email: info@bipolarscotland.org.uk

website: www.bipolarscotland.org.uk

Borderline

Borderline is a confidential help-line for people with mental health needs across the Scottish Borders. It offers emotional and listening support for people who are bereaved, depressed, anxious, lonely, isolated or distressed.

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 7.00pm - 10.00 pm; Saturday - Sunday 6.00pm - 10.00pm

Phone (freephone): 0800 027 44 66 

Hearing Voices Network

If you hear voices, the Hearing Voices Network can help. We offer information, support, and understanding to people who hear voices and those who support them.

Phone: 0114 71 82 10

email: nhvn@hotmail.co.uk 

website: http://www.hearing-voices.org  

Samaritans

We know a lot about what can help you through tough times. We can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen. It doesn't matter who you are or how you feel, or what has happened. If you feel that things are getting to you, get in touch.

Phone: 08457 90 90 90

email: jo@samaritans.org

website: http://www.samaritans.org 

Breathing Space

Anyone can feel down or depressed from time to time. You are not alone and talking about how you feel is a positive first step in getting help. So don't let problems get out of hand, phone Breathing Space where experience advisors will listen and provide information and advice.

Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 6.00pm - 2.00am, Friday - Sunday: 6.00pm - 6.00am

phone: 0800 83 85 87

website: www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

We are with you

Our aim is to transform the lives of people affected by drug and alcohol problems. Not only do we help the individual recover from their dependency, but we also offer support to those closest to them. Working with families and loved ones forms a major part of WAWY's treatment ethos.

phone: 01896 75 78 43

website: http://www.wearewithyou.org.uk 

Mind

We are here to support you to make informed choices. We will listen to you and try to understand all the issues you are facing. Then we will give you information that is relevant to you and your situation. Our teams can send out printed information to individuals in unmarked envelopes, or they can help guide you to information on our website.

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 6.00pm

phone: 0300 1 23 33 93

email: info@mind.org.uk

website: www.mind.org.uk